Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Corporation announced that the facilities of the Qaismani Dam, belonging to the corporation, were subjected to a two-phase theft.
In a statement, the corporation reported that the first phase of the theft occurred the day before yesterday, involving the electrical cables connecting the dam to the transformer for operation. The second phase took place today when the thieves returned and attempted to break into the storage room to steal pumps and additional equipment, but were unsuccessful. The corporation immediately filed a complaint with the security forces to pursue the perpetrators and obtain their fingerprints, hoping to identify them as quickly as possible and prevent further attacks on the dam, which supplies water to twenty-three villages. The high costs of repairs in foreign currency will negatively impact the water supply program for subscribers, as the corporation has had to operate the dam using generators, which cannot be used continuously.
The Qaismani Dam project is considered a model project that represents the joint effort of many individuals over the last 20 years, beginning with the idea in 1993, the study in 1996, and its handover to the ministry in 1998. The idea to expand and relocate the project was proposed in 2008, and it turned into a real project with a decision made by the Cabinet in March 2010, leading to a new study and bidding process which was contracted. The project aims to address the shortage of drinking water and support the living and economic conditions of residents in 35 villages in the Upper Metn by storing one million cubic meters of water, particularly vital during the summer season when demand increases with the start of the summer and tourism season, hoping for a return to previous levels of activity.
